Axle



Sept. 4, 1934. T 1A.C0B 1,972,564

'AXLE 'Filed May 22, 1935 zsheets-sneet 1 y, l5 @Mw/fw v THC/'Each ifay@ Z Sept. 4, 1934.

T. H. JACOB i 1,972,564

AXLE

Filed May 22, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ,2 5 l @Away/QW 2.6 Z5

` TH :fasc/b Patented Sept. 4, 1934 l.UNLTED STATES PATENT. OFFICE Thisinvention appertains to trailers `of the ltype particularly adapted tobe attached to and drawn by motor vehicles. A great many persons preferto build or have especially built trailers to conform to theirparticular requirements and needs, such as .for hauling boats, andtourists living lquarters or for hauling bulk objects such as farmproduce.

Some manufacturers do quite a business in supplying parts (such astongues and bitches) for. such trailers. However, considerablediiliculty has been experienced by these builders in obtaining properaxles and there is a demand for an eilcient axle unit for trailers.

In all trailers with which I am familiar, a transverse axle is used withsprings interposed between such axle and the chassis or body of thetrailer. This makes too high a trailer and the springs are inside thewheels, which leaves a narrow spring support. Thus. the vehicle is goingto be top-heavy and the same will roll on country roads and on unevenground. Where ef- .fort is made to build the trailer low, insumcientclearance is given between the bottom of the body and axle and theroadway.

It is therefore one of the primary objects-of my invention to provide atrailer axle unit which rst will permit any desired type oi' trailer tobe built thereon and, second, which will give a high clearance under thetrailer and a low floor line, which consequently will result in creatinga trailer having a low center of gravity. Another salient object of myinvention is to provide a novel axle unit for trailers embodying novelmeans for supporting the wheels relative "so the frame of :uch unitwhereby not only is a low center of gravity with a high clearanceincured, but whereby an adequate and etllcient spring support will behad, which will eliminate the narrow spring support common in ordinarytrailers, as pointed out above.

A further important object of my invention is to provide a novel framefor the axle unit whereby diiferent types of trailer frames can bereadily connected thereto, so that the desired and particular type oftrailer can be built.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a novel traileraxle unit of the above character, which will be durable and efficient inuse, one that will be simple and easy to manufacture and one which canbe placed upon the market at a low cost.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in thenovel construction, arrangement, and formation of parts, as will behereinafter more specifically described, illustrated, and claimed in theaccompanying drawings, in whichz- Figure 1 is a side elevation of myimproved trailer axle unit showing parts of the trailer frame sectionsconnected therewith.

Figure 2 is a rear elevation of my improved trailer unit with partsthereof broken away and in section to illustrate my novel springsupport.

Figure 3 is a vertical section taken on the line 05 3-3 of Figure 2looking in the direction of the arrows. Figure 4 is a top plan viewshowing one type of trailer which can be built with my improved axle 7unit.

Figure 5 is a horizontal section through my improved axle unit taken onthe line 5-5 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein similar referencecharacters designate the corresponding parts throughout the severalviews, the letter AA generally indicates my improved trailer axleunit,which comprises a frame 10.

This frame 10 embodies a pair of spaced parallel axle bars 11 and 12which extend entirely across the trailer. These axle bars may, andpreferably are, formed from steel tubes of the desired gauge and size.The outer ends of the axle bars -11 and 12 are rigidly secured to, suchas by weld- A ing or the like, connecting arch frame bars 13. These bars13 can be of a T-shape in cross section with their horizontal flangesextending inwardly for a purpose, which will later appear, and arepreferably made from a malleable iron casting. As illustrated, the lowerends of the arch frame bars 13 may carry inwardly directed cuffs 14 forreceiving the terminals of the axle frame bars 11 and 12.. 'I'he extremelower ends of the arch bars 1'3 carry oppositely extending horizontallydisposed feet 15 for a purpose which will 95 later appear. u

Riveted or otherwise suitably secured to the horizontal flanges of thearch frame bars 13 are sheetmetal wheel fenders 16 and these 'fenders lare preferably made from relatively thick metal. 100 Secured tos theaxle frame bars V11 and 12 in spaced relation to the cuis 14 are sleeves17 and 18. These sleeves 17 are carried by the rear axle bar 11 while`the sleeves 18 are carried by the front axle bar 12, and the sleeves I7have formed there- 105 on a supporting pivot ear 19 while the sleeves 18have formed thereon pairs of spaced pivot ears 20. All of the sleeves 17and 18 have formed thereon inwardly directed arms 21 to which areriveted or otherwise suitably secured' the lower 110 these portions ofthe fenders can be braced by angle iron strips 22 which have theirterminals riveted to the arms 21 and thus, these angle arms serve tobrace the axlebars and forma rigid frame. y

Arranged between the cuffs 14 and the sleeves 1'1 and 18 on each side ofthe frame are the supporting wheels 23 which can be of any desiredconstruction. The hubs 24 of the wheels receive vshort floating axles 25and the opposite ends oi these axles are securely connected by means ofclips 26 to the central portions of semi-elliptical y leaf springs 27.Thus, it is to be noted that a spring is arranged both in the inside andoutside of each wheel. The cuds ldalso carry pivot ears 28 similar tothe pivot ears carried by the sleeves 17 and 18 and the ends ofthe leafsprings are connected by means of suitable shackles and spring boltswith the ears 19, A20 and 28.

The frame can be braced in any other preferred manner and as shown, Ihave provided a central frame bar 29 and diagonally extending crossedtie rods 30. l

By referring to Figures 2 and e, it will be noted that the centralportion of the tubular frame bars 1i and 12 have rigidly secured theretobrackets 3l vand 32 and these brackets extend both on .the inside andoutside of the frame.- Those portions of the brackets which extendinside of the frame form means for securing the central brace bar 29 inplace.

The feet l5 carried by the arch frame-bars 13 `and those parts of thebrackets 31 and 32 which extend exterior-ly of the frame form means forpermitting the attaching of diierent types of trailer frame work to mytrailer axle unit.

In Figure 4 I have illustrated one type of trailer which can be built onmy unit and as shown, the same embodies front frame section 33 and arear frame section 34. The front frame section 33 may comprise front andrear frame bars 35 and longitudinally extending beams 36. Intermediateframe bars 3'1 can be bolted or otherwise secured to the front and rearframe bars 35, and transverse frame bars 38 are provided for connecting'the intermediate frame bars with the beams 36. Likewise, diagonallyextending crossed tie rods 39 are also provided.

The rear section 34 is similar to the front section and embodies frontand rear frame bars 40 and 41 and connecting longitudinally extendingside beams 42. Intermediate frame bars 43 can also be provided forconnecting the front and rear bars 40 and 4l together and I can alsoprovide crossed diagonally extending tie rods 44. The rear frame bar 35of the front section and the front frame bar 40 of the rear section aresecurely bolted or otherwise fastened to thebrackets 31 and 32 and tothe feet 15.

A suitable tongue or draft bar 45 is provided l for permitting theconvenient attaching of the trailer to the preferred part of the motorvehicle (not shown).

If desired, I can provide longitudinally extending tie. rods 46 forbracing the front and rear sections and the axle unit sections, andthese tie rods can be securely fastened to the arch frame bars 13.

From the foregoing description, it can be seen that I have provided anovel trailer axle unit on which various types of trailer frames can bebuilt and in which an exceptionally low center of gravity is providedwith a maximum amount of clearance between the bottom of the trailerandthe t inner edge of the skirt of the fenders. If desired -springspractically the width of the trailer unit.

-the frame bars.

roadway. Likewise, it can be seen that a novel spring suspension hasbeen provided in which a maximum amount of spring support is given witha novel spring spacing with the spread of the Changes in details may bemade without departing from the spirit or the scope of this invention,but what I claim as new isz- 1. As a new article of manufacture, acentral axle chassis unit for trailers comprising a' frame including apair of spaced parallel frame bars, :doating stub axles arrangedintermediate the ends of the frame bars, wheels on said axles, andsprings connected with the axle ends and with 2. In a trailer, a traileraxle unit comprising a pair of spaced parallel axle bars, arched framebars .connecting the terminals of the axle bars together, a pair ofspaced springs at each end of the axle bars having their terminalsconnected to said axle bars, a pair of floating axles connected to theintermediate portions of the pairs of springs, and ground wheelsrotatably mounted on said axles.

3. In a trailer, a trailer axle unit comprising a Alili? pair oi spacedparallel axle bars, arched frame bars connecting the terminals of theaxle bars together, a pair of spaced springs at each end of the axlebars having their terminals connected to said axle bars, a pair offloating axles connected to the intermediate portions of the pairs ofsprings, ground wheels rotatably mounted on said axles, and oppcsitelyextending attaching feet on the arched frame bars.

e. In a trailer, an independent axle 'unit including a pair of spacedparallel axle bars, arched frame bars having inwardly directed cuffsreceiving the terminals of the axle bars, an arched fender secured toeach of the frame bars, sleeves on the axle bars arranged in spacedrelation to the cuffs, pivot ears on said cuiIs and sleeves, pairs ofspaced semi-elliptical leaf springs connected to said ears, shortiloating axles rigidly secured to intermediate portion of the springsbetween the axle bars, and ground wheels rotatably mount. ed between thesprings on the axles.

5. In a trailer, an independent axle unit including a pair of spacedparallel axlebars, arched frame bars having inwardly directed cuffsreceiving the terminals of the axle bars, an archedl fender secured toeach of the frame bars, sleeves on the axle bars arranged in spacedrelatipn to the cuis, pivot ears on said cuffs and sleeves, pairs ofspaced semi-elliptical leaf springs connected to said ears, shortfloating axles rigidly secured'lao to anintermediate portion of thesprings between the axle bars, ground wheelsrotatably mounted betweenthe springs on the axles, oppositely extending attaching feet on theterminals of the arched bars, and attaching brackets secured to theintermediate portion of the axle bars.

6. Ina trailer, an independent axle unit including a pair of spacedparallel axle bars, arched frame bars having inwardly directed cuffsreceiving the terminals of the axle bars. an arched fender secured toeach of the frame bars, sleeves on the axle bars arranged in spacedrelation to the cuffs, pivot ears on said cuffs and sleeves, pairs ofspaced semi-elliptical leaf springs connected to said ears, shortnoating axles rigidly secured to an intermediateportion'of the springsbetween the axle bars, ground` wheels rotatably mounted between thesprings on the axles, oppositely extending attaching feet on thevterminals of the arched bars, attaching brackets secured to the 150intermediate portion of the axle bars, front and rear trailer framesections. and means connecting the inner ends ot the -i'ramc sections tosaidi'eet and said brackets.

'1. A trailer comprising a central axle chassis unit, including a framehaving a pair of spaced parallel i'rame bars, iloating stub axlesarranged intermediate the ends of the frame bars, wheels on said axles,springs connectedv with the axle ends and with the trame bars, andremovable body sections for said unit, each including front and rearframe bars and connecting side bars, and means detachably and rigidlyconnecting the body sections to the iront and rear of the unit.

8. A trailer comprising a central trailer axle unit comprising a pairoi' spaced parallel axle bars, arched frame bars connecting theterminals ot the axle bars together, a pair o! spaced springs at eachend of the axle bars having their terminals connected to said axle bars,a pair o! floating axles connected to the intermediate portions of thepairs of springs, ground wheels rotatably mounted and connecting sidebars, the rear trame bar of` Yoi. spaced springs at each end of the axlebars having their terminals connected to said axle bars, a, pair ofiioating axles connected to the intermediate portions of the pairs ofsprings, ground wheels rotatably mounted on said axles, oppositelyextending attaching Afeet on the terminals of the arched bars, andremovable body sections for said unit, each including front and rearframe bars and connecting side bars, means rigidly and detachablyconnecting said body sections to the attaching feet, and tie-rodsconnected to said body `sections and extending over and attached to thearched bars.

THOMAS H. JACOB.

